Model-Derived Dispersal Pathways from Multiple Source Populations Explain Variability of Invertebrate Larval Supply

Background: Predicting the spatial and temporal patterns of marine larval dispersal and supply is a challenging task due to the small size of the larvae and the variability of oceanographic processes. Addressing this problem requires the use of novel approaches capable of capturing the inherent variability in the mechanisms involved. Methodology/Principal Findings: In this study we test whether dispersal and connectivity patterns generated from a biophysical model of larval dispersal of the crab Carcinus maenas, along the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula, can predict the highly variable daily pattern of wind-driven larval supply to an estuary observed during the peak reproductive season (March–June) in 2006 and 2007. Cross-correlations between observed and predicted supply were significant (p,0.05) and strong, ranging from 0.34 to 0.81 at time lags of 26 to+5 d. Importantly, the model correctly predicted observed cross-shelf distributions (Pearson r = 0.82, p,0.001, and r = 0.79, p,0.01, in 2006 and 2007) and indicated that all supply events were comprised of larvae that had been retained within the inner shelf; larvae transported to the outer shelf and beyond never recruited. Estimated average dispersal distances ranged from 57 to 198 km and were only marginally affected by mortality. Conclusions/Significance: The high degree of predicted demographic connectivity over relatively large geographic scales is consistent with the lack of genetic structuring in C. maenas along the Iberian Peninsula. These findings indicate that the dynamic nature of larval dispersal can be captured by mechanistic biophysical models, which can be used to provid

Measurement of prompt D+ and Ds+ production in pPb collisions at √sNN = 5. 02 TeV

The production of prompt D+ and D+s mesons is studied in proton-lead collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of √sNN = 5.02 TeV. The data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of (1.58 ± 0.02)nb−1 is collected by the LHCb experiment at the LHC. The differential production cross-sections are measured using D+ and D+s candidates with transverse momentum in the range of 0 < pT < 14 GeV/c and rapidities in the ranges of 1.5 < y∗ < 4.0 and –5.0 < y∗ < –2.5 in the nucleon-nucleon centre-of-mass system. For both particles, the nuclear modification factor and the forward-backward production ratio are determined. These results are compared with theoretical models that include initial-state nuclear effects. In addition, measurements of the cross-section ratios between D+, D+s and D0 mesons are presented, providing a baseline for studying the charm hadronization in lead-lead collisions at LHC energies

Measurement of the CKM angle γ using the B± → D*h± channels

A measurement of the CP-violating observables from B± → D*K± and B± → D*π± decays is presented, where D*(D) is an admixture of D*0 and D¯∗0 (D0 and D¯0) states and is reconstructed through the decay chains D*→ Dπ0/γ and D→KS0π+π−/KS0K+K−. The measurement is performed by analysing the signal yield variation across the D decay phase space and is independent of any amplitude model. The data sample used was collected by the LHCb experiment in proton-proton collisions and corresponds to a total integrated luminosity of 9 fb−1 at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8 and 13 TeV. The CKM angle γ is determined to be 69−14+13∘ using the measured CP-violating observables. The hadronic parameters rBD∗K±, rBD∗π±, δBD∗K±, δBD∗π±, which are the ratios and strong phase differences between favoured and suppressed B± decays, are also reported

Mortality and mechanical damage of seedlings in different size fragments of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Abstract: We assessed the mechanical damage caused by litterfall and vertebrates to seedlings and saplings at the edge and in the interior of three small (14, 20, 29 ha) and one large (9400 ha) fragments of the Atlantic Forest, São Paulo, Brazil. We monitored mechanical damage (e.g. litterfall, vertebrate and human damage) of artificial seedlings, and mortality rates for natural seedlings for 1 year at 3 month intervals. Mechanical damage to artificial seedlings was mainly caused by litterfall (68.1%). Damage to artificial seedlings was approximately two times higher in the smaller fragments than in the large fragment, but the mortality of natural seedlings was not related to fragment size. Mechanical damage and mortality did not differ between edge and interior plots. Although it occurred only occasionally (3.78% of total damage) human impact (trampling) seems to be the most important single cause of seedling mortality. Resumen: Evaluamos el daño mecánico causado por la hojarasca y los vertebrados a plántulas e individuos juveniles en el borde y el interior de tres fragmentos pequeños (14, 20, 29 ha) y uno grande (9400 ha) de Bosque Atlántico, São Paulo, Brasil. Monitoreamos el daño mecánico (e.g. caída de hojarasca, daño por vertebrados y por humanos) de plántulas artificiales, así como las tasas de mortalidad para plántulas naturales, cada tres meses durante un año. El daño mecánico en las plántulas artificiales fue causado principalmente por la hojarasca (68.1%). El daño en las plántulas artificiales fue aproximadamente dos veces mayor en los fragmentos pequeños que en el grande, pero la mortalidad de plántulas naturales no se relacionó con el tamaño del fragmento. El daño mecánico y la mortalidad no difirieron entre las parcelas del borde y las del interior. Aunque se presentó sólo de forma ocasional, (3.78% del daño total), el impacto humano (pisoteo) parece ser la causa más importante de mortalidad. Resumo: Acessamos os danos mecânicos causados por serapilheira e vertebrados a plântulas e jovens na borda e interior de três fragmentos pequenos (14, 20 e 29 ha) e um grande (9400 ha) de Mata Atlântica em São Paulo, Brasil. Nós monitoramos danos mecânicos (e.g. serapilheira, vertebrados e danos humanos) em plântulas artificiais e taxa de mortalidade em plântulas naturais por um ano com intervalo de três meses. Dano mecânico em plântulas artificiais foi causado principalmente por serapilheira (68,1%). Dano nas plântulas artificiais foi aproximadamente duas vezes maior nos fragmentos pequenos do que no fragmento grande, mas a mortalidade das plântulas naturais não foi relacionada com o tamanho do fragmento. Dano mecânico e mortalidade não diferiram entre as parcelas da borda e interior. Apesar de ter ocorrido apenas ocasionalmente (3,78% do total de dano), o impacto humano (pisoteio) parece ser a causa mais importante de mortalidade de plântulas

Diel vertical migration of decapod larvae in the Portuguese coastal upwelling ecosystem: implications for offshore transport

The vertical distribution of decapod larvae off the northwest Portuguese coast was analysed in relation to associated environmental conditions from sampling during a 69 h period around a current meter mooring located on the shelf, approximately 21 km off the coast. Plankton samples were collected every 2 h at the surface with a neuston net and through the water column with a Longhurst Hardy Plankton Recorder (Pro-LHPR), allowing a very detailed resolution of larval vertical distribution. Environmental data (temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll a) were obtained every hour. To investigate the horizontal distribution of decapod larvae in relation to the coast, a plankton-sampling grid was carried out before the 69 h fixed station. Larvae of shelf decapod species were widely distributed over the shelf, while those of inshore species were found much closer to the coast. Decapod larvae (zoeae and megalopae) showed clear diel vertical migrations, only appearing in the upper 20 m at night, a migration that did not appear to be affected by physical conditions in the water column. Larval densities were highly variable, 0.01 to 215 ind. m super(-3) for zoeae and 0 to 93 ind. m super(-3) for megalopae, the zoeae being generally more abundant. The results indicated that during the day larvae accumulate very close to the bottom. The diel vertical migration behaviour is discussed as one of the contributing mechanisms for larval retention over the shelf, even with offshore transport conditions promoted by coastal upwelling, and is hence of major relevance for the recruitment success of decapod species that inhabit inshore and shelf zones of coastal upwelling systems

rac-2-[(2-Chlorophenyl)(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-1,3-dioxolane

The title compound, C16H14Cl2O2, is a chiral mitotane derivative that contains a dioxolane ring and crystallizes from methanol as a racemic mixture. It was obtained in high yield from mitotane and ethyleneglycol in alkaline medium, followed by neutralization with sulfuric acid and extraction with ethyl acetate. The molecular structure is stabilized by an intramolecular C— H... O hydrogen bond. The dihedral angle between the aromatic rings is 80.1 (2)°. The dioxolane ring adopts a puckered envelope conformation with an O atom as the flap